We kicked off our 2019 summer camp today with a visit to the Liberty Bell and a Pantoum Poem activity. A pantoum poem is a type of found poem. In our case, students blended lines they read in the Liberty Bell Center with phrases and comments they overheard from other guests and visitors. The 'found' lines were then arranged into 4-stanza poems following a specific set of guidelines. Check out our writers' work and I think you'll agree that they created some powerful pieces!
Carlyne McGurk
As strong and durable as the bell seems . . . it is fragile and easily damaged.
Like that of liberty itself.
Look at the words at the top
Proclaim liberty throughout all the land onto the inhabitants thereof
Like that of liberty itself
How loud is too loud?
Proclaim liberty throughout all the land onto the inhabitants thereof
It just echoes a lot
How loud is too loud?
I want to get closer to it
It just echoes a lot
Get closer, look around
I want to get closer to it
Look at the words at the top
Get closer, look around
As strong and durable as the bell seems . .. it is fragile and easily damaged.
Erin Kang
The world famed liberty bell
Ring it till the young arise
That the whole world shall be free
That’s cool, right?
Ring it till the young arise
Just wandering around
That’s cool, right?
Where is the trash can?
Just wandering around
Thank you
Where is the trash can?
Smile
Thank you
That the whole world shall be free
Smile
The world famed liberty bell
Emma Harding
It is very fragile and easily damaged
A very significant symbol
Ring it till the slave be free!
Did you kick them off?
A very significant symbol
This way!
Did you kick them off?
Come here!
This way!
That hurts!
Come here!
Say thank you
That hurts!
Ring it till the slave be free!
Say thank you
It is fragile and easily damaged.
Clair Cardea
A very significant symbol for the entire democratic world
It’s so crowded here - the bell sure is popular
Ring loud that hallowed bell . . . ring it till the slave be free
You just wanna see it right away, huh?
It’s so crowded here - the bell sure is popular
I don’t see a gift shop
You just wanna see it right away, huh?
. . . . for freedom sleeps on freedom’s shore
I don’t see a gift shop
I wanna take pictures but I’ll be in the way
For freedom sleeps on freedom’s shore
Go ahead. Look, everyone’s taking pictures
I wanna take pictures but I’ll be in the way
Ring loud that hallowed bell . . . ring it til the slave be free
Go ahead. Look, everyone’s taking pictures
A very significant symbol for the entire democratic world.
Trevon West
Yo seed!
Take this flick
Thank you
You too can help
Take this flick
What are you guys looking at?
You too can help
Just in case you lose your balance
What are you guys looking at?
Proclaim liberty!
Just in case you lose your balance
Even the young people don’t have trouble
Proclaim liberty!
Thank you
Even the young people don’t have trouble
Yo seed!
Allen K. Jones, Jr.
Liberty bell cheesesteaks
Including liberty bells
Pass and stow
Take this flick
Including liberty nails
You a goat
Take this pick
Assembly like Benjamin Franklin
You a joke
Taking photos
Assembly like John Adams
Bell is hidden
Taking Fotos
Fast andslow
Bell is driven
Liberty bell cheesesteaks
Lucas Jackson
Take this flick
Wait up son
So this is the liberty bell
This guy is the true son of liberty
Wait up son
The liberty bell attracted huge crowds
This guy is the true son of liberty
The liberty bell is a ‘very significant symbol’
The liberty bell attracted huge crowds
It’s really cool
The liberty bell is a ‘very significant symbol’
Liberty translates into many languages
It’s really cool
So this is the liberty bell
Wait up son
Take this flick
Jamie Gibson
Big bells, little bells, books about the bell
Ring it again
Glorious old bell
No one can touch the bell?
Ring it again
The son of the revolutionary bows in reverence before you
No one can touch the bell?
It’s more than it’s cracked up to be
Let’s see the pictures
Is that the original?
It’s more than it’s cracked up to be
It’s strong but fragile
Is that the original?
Glorious old bell
It’s strong but fragile
Big bells, little bells, books about bells
Cora Mueller
Every fairminded man believes in justice
A sacred relic, a useful symbol
It’s very impressive
Feel free to get closer
A sacred relic, a useful symbol
Somehow it got bigger
Feel free to get closer
But where are you?
Somehow it got bigger
If you go you can’t come back
But where are you?
For liberties gained can also be lost
If you go you can’t come back
It’s very impressive
For liberties gained can also be lost
Every fairminded man believes in justice
Claudia Messer
The never ending quest for freedom
Till every living soul be stirred, clothed with strength
The son of a revolutionary soldier bows in reverence before you
How did it get its crack?
Till every living soul be stirred, clothed with strength
Can I take a picture?
How did it get its crack?
Please hold your pictures
Can I get a picture?
A symbol for freedom and peace
Please hold your pictures
A symbol for freedom and peace
A symbol for freedom and peace
The son of a revolutionary soldier bows in reverence before you
A symbol for freedom and peace
The never ending quest for freedom
Nelly Forrest
Ring loud the hallowed bell!
Mama
You guys are so much fun
The bell’s more than it’s cracked up to be
Mama
Liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof
The bell’s more than it’s cracked up to be
Are you guys looking for the real liberty bell?
Liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof
Men and women, black and white, coming together to advocate for freedom
Are you guys looking for the liberty bell?
See the bell? Big bell
Men and women, black and white, coming together to advocate for freedom
You guys are so much fun
See the bell? Big bell
Ring loud that hallowed bell!
Sanae Young
The original liberty bell announced the creation of democracy
Taking pictures so she can read later
A very significant symbol
I don’t need a picture
Taking pictures so she can read later
The women’s liberty bell will announce the completion of democracy
I don’t see a picture
Where is it?
The women’s liberty bell will announce the completion of democracy
We are all together
Where is it?
We don’t need it.
We are all together
A very significant symbol
We don’t need it
The original liberty bell announced the creation of democracy
Brielle Watson-Wood
Fathers and mothers with babies in arms
Take pictures and look later
To go back
We were lucky
Take pictures and look back
I’d like to go back
We were lucky
Did you hear?
I’d like to come back
Taxation without representation is tyranny
Did you hear?
The liberty bell?
Taxation without representation is tyranny
Go back
To the liberty bell
Fathers and mothers with babies in arms
Zuza Jevremovic
I had one of these growing up
Its tongue is now silent
I can see a picture anytime
I felt that
Its tongue is now silent
Ring, ring! Grandfather, ring!
I felt that.
Spring gladly toward the kindling skies.
Ring, ring! Grandfather, ring!
One more picture!
Spring gladly toward kindling skies
Right behind us.
One more picture!
I can see a picture anytime
Right behind us
I had one of these growing up.
Melanie Sporn
Cracked and imperfect
She fought for freedom
Do what you want!
Her efforts have been rewarded!
She fought for freedom
I appreciate it
Her efforts have been rewarded
So proclaim liberty!
I appreciate it
Thumbs up
Proclaim liberty!
By order of the assembly
Thumbs up
Do what you want!
By order of the assembly
Cracked and imperfect
Amanda Schear
Liberty itself is an ongoing process
Don't you want to see who made it?
No se puede
Do you want me to take a picture?
Don't you want to see who made it?
File past the sacred relic
Do you want me to take a picture?
You just wanna go see it right away
File past the sacred relic
I was trying to get a picture of what it looks like inside
You just wanna go see it right away
Liberty translates into many languages
I was trying to get a picture of what it looks like inside
No se puede
Liberty translates into many languages
Liberty itself is an ongoing process
I found something intriguing in every pantoum! Carlyne - the position of these two lines seemed especially powerful to me: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land onto the inhabitants thereof/It just echoes a lot." Brielle - the "Did you hear?" line made me think about the dual meanings of hearing (as in hearing about something, and the physical aspect of hearing). Cora - I liked the ambiguity in this line: "But where are you?"
ReplyDeleteLovely work on everybody's...
ReplyDeleteCarolyne's first two lines correspond perfectly... they also remind me of Larry's speech at the center, of the symbolic meaning of the bell's crack; perfect metaphor there. The following two lines continue the blending trend, for they could fit together in a sentence as perfectly as their predecessors. I also notice how both lines discussing sound (loudness and echoes) were, on both their appearances, contained within the same verse... well placed.
I notice Emma's addresses as well the metaphorical nature of the cracked bell; though not directly acknowledging liberty as in Carolyne's, she does refer to the fragility as a symbol, and then I suppose the succeeding line of slavery suggests, without mentioning the word, that the symbol is of course of liberty.
I like the line in Jamie's about being more than it's cracked up to be... what a brilliant pun.... And all the lines fit well together, most notably with the repetition of "bell" in the first verse, and the conversations in the third verse: the first visitor asking whether it is the original and cracking the pun, and his more profound friend noting afterwards the significance of the bell's strong, yet fragile nature.
I love how Cora selected "If you go you can’t come back" and "for liberties gained can also be lost" as lines to present themselves in both their appearances in the same verse; I thought those fit together incredibly well, though gathered, I assume, in separate situations unaware of each others' existence.... this also occurring elsewhere in the poem; in the first verse, for instance, 'it's very impressive', though being, I assume, part of an overheard conversation, applies easily to both its predecessors 'justice' and the 'sacred relic', these themselves even being possibly interpreted as the same entity.
Again, well-corresponding first lines in Claudia's: souls roused and strengthened by the desire for freedom.
In Sanae's, I appreciate how the formatting was considered to include in every verse one of the complementary phrases on democracy, so no verse was with both or without. And then 'where is it' appearing in both verses governed by the women's liberty bell... very profound, a suggestion that such a bell does not yet exist, that democracy has yet to be completed. I notice as well 'she' appears in one of the other lines; this goes well with the theme of women...
Melanie's flows nicely, with 'I appreciate it' corresponding well to her fight for freedom; and I like "she fought for freedom" and "her efforts have been rewarded" appearing together in two verses, they do work together...
(Oh dear, this is getting a bit long... sorry if I didn't get around to yours... good work, everyone! And I apologize if my writing style is a bit difficult to comprehend in places.)
-Zuza
I thought it was very interesting to see that nearly every poem made reference to the historical significance of the bell through metaphors, despite the fact that people viewing the bell tend to ask more simple and frivolous questions such as "Can I touch it?" All of these were very fun to read and definitely made me think!
ReplyDeleteI liked the differentiation between the information from the museum and the dialogue from strangers. Everyone's is unique and we all did very well.
ReplyDeleteMelanie- Like Zuza has already said, yours had a really nice flow to it. I also appreciated that yours seemed to take a stance that focused primarily on women: something that our history greatly seems to ignore.
ReplyDeleteZuza- I really love this one. I was hit with such a deep and nostalgic sense from this for no apparent reason to me, which only means that this piece was all that powerful enough to evoke that kind of emotion from me. You've taken a different approach with this and I appreciate the change in pace, and it made me think that this could be a set up to a greater and longer piece of yours. Also, great in depth comments for your peers work!
ReplyDeleteThank you sincerely; I'm so glad to hear you liked it!
DeleteCarlyn - Really like the repetition of echoes and “how loud is too loud” juxtaposed with your language of moving around and close to the bell; like moving closer will create vibrations within us.
ReplyDeleteErin - I like how your poem initially is sort of a call to arms for a kind of youthful revolution, but then is balanced with normal language like “just wandering around,” and “that’s cool isn’t it;” a revolution that needs direction?
Emma - Lots of action! Culminating in a cracked and damage bell; a nice conclusion.
Clair - I read a lot of contrast in your poem. Contrast between the power and importance of the liberty bell with the more ordinary and superficial search for gift shops and a family snapshot; the Liberty Bell Center is where those worlds collide.
Trevon - Lots of action and it kind of reads like a call to arms to me, maybe for young people; like the importance or need for the Liberty Bell is still here
Allen - This poem is the mind of tourist who visits philadelphia… Cheesesteak Bell Ben Franklin Bell Cheesesteak, and the Liberty Bell Center is where those tourists come by the dozens.
Lucas - The Liberty Bell is everywhere it’s popular, and then you put in that there is a “one true son of liberty,” an interesting contrast.
Jamie - This poem has a nice flow to it and the repetition of the word bell almost makes me hear the ringing. I like the line “Ring it Again” like a command, or a message.
Cora - I enjoyed this poem a lot, especially how you switch to the second person for some key lines, like “where are you,” and “if you leave you can’t come back,” it is almost as if you are asking the reader what is their role in this story.
Claudia - I like the last two stanzas a lot; the repetition, the search for pictures and the inspiring finish all create a nice atmosphere.
Nelly - I like how this poem seems like people are searching for the Liberty Bell, and the speaker is sort of guiding them to this beacon of freedom.
Sanae - I really enjoy how this poem is in the first person; it gives it a bigger sense of action. I like the different lines “I don’t need a picture,” and “I can’t see a picture.” The contrast feels analogous to the original liberty bell and the women’s liberty bell.
Brielle - The use of questions in this poem makes it interesting, like you are trying to spread the information about this symbol.
Melanie - I like the feeling that runs through this poem; a fight for equality that resonates with you or the reader today a century later.
Zuza - I really like the general feel of this poem; there is something here that makes me think about childhood or growing up. Love how you employ and contrast the senses; a “silent” tongue, seeing a picture, but feeling ‘“that.” Mentions of Grandfather, growing up, and bouncing out into the sky all mix together really well for me, and make me think of childhood. The contrast between springing toward the sky and “right behind us” does a great job in creating tension.
Amanda - I like the questions and the contrast between the tourism around the bell and the actual historic value.
This comment is from Luke Hopely ^^
DeleteHi Everyone;
ReplyDeleteIthoroghly enjoyed reading everyone`s Pantoum Poem . Carlyne I especially like the line which reads "as strong and durable the bell appears ...it is fragile and easily damaged. What a great metaphor. Erin I was intrigued by the way that you juxtaposed the Line " that the whole world shall be free" followed by the line" that`s cool right? and then the second time followed by the word "smile" as if to suggest that although the Idea of freedom for all is great that in reality we still have a long way to go. Cora I was stuck by the use of the Line"Liberties gained can easily be lost" followed later by the line "If you go you can`t come back" as if to suggest an air of Finality. I have to say that as someone who works at the Liberty Bell that all of your poems captured not only the significance of the Bell as a symbol but, also the variuos ways in which people interact with it. Great Work !
Everybody did a unqiue job with there poem
ReplyDelete